Bend man convicted for hitting Yellowstone National Park worker with vehicle

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An Oregon man has been convicted after hitting a worker at the world’s first national park.

Following a three-day trial, Bend resident David Tyler Regnier was found guilty of assaulting a federal employee with a dangerous weapon. The case was sparked by an incident that occurred at Yellowstone National Park on Sept. 18, 2024.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming, two park employees were directing traffic near Canyon Junction due to ongoing road construction. Officials reported that Regnier was driving a Jeep in the opposite direction of traffic while complaining about how it was being directed.

One employee directed the 67-year-old man to back up, as another stood in front of his vehicle with a stop sign. The District Attorney’s Office alleged that Regnier accelerated instead, hitting the worker who then jumped out of his path.

Regnier was later stopped by Yellowstone National Park Service law enforcement officers and arrested.

“Our office will take a strong stance against the frequent acts of violence directed at public servants who are merely doing their jobs to protect the community,” Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie I. Sprecher said in a statement.

The Oregon man is slated to be sentenced on Thursday, Aug. 7. Officials reported that he could be penalized with up to 20 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release, along with a maximum fine of $250,000 and a $100 special assessment.